My Hunted Mate

Corinna

"You told a dragon shifter that I would be his on call babysitter without even consulting me first?! "Dahlia cries, throwing her hands out in front of her body dramatically.

Biting my lip, I remain silent as I watch my mate roll his eyes at his siblings reaction. Atticus ended up agreeing to meet Dahlia and see how she got on with Dyna, he wanted to feel confident in his child's safety, so there would be no worry when he was away hunting for Cain and my father.

Completely understandable, I wouldn't trust my hybrid toddler to an unknown vampire either.

Once we came to an agreement, the conversation became much lighter but also bittersweet, as we exchanged happy and fond memories of Helena, Atticus ended up offering to let us stay with him for the night, but we decided against it and made the drive home shortly after.

* Dahlia, this man has just lost his beloved and desires to avenge her! All you have to do is meet him, Cori and I will mainly be the ones doing the babysitting, you're there as a back up incase Cori cannot travel or goes into labour. * Kai explains, his arms are crossed over his chest as he speaks with an unamused expression.

" You cannot be serious, Mal. " Dahlia grunts, leaning all of her weight on her left leg, as she copies his actions by crossing her arms over her own chest.

"I'm more than serious. This man wants Alpha Cain and Cori's father dead and if I'm honest, I'm happy to help him with this task, all things considered. " Kai announces, raising his eyebrows as he shrugs his shoulders.

Dahlia seems to consider her brother's words for a couple of seconds, then her sassy demeanour vanishes. * Fine, but Lila will be coming also. " A newly turned vampire around a small toddler, let me think. " Kai pauses, letting out a soft hum before opening his mouth again. * No. Can you imagine how horribly wrong that could go? *

" Brother, she's doing much better now! She can control the bloodlust. " She argues in defence of her mate.

" Do you promise that child won't be in any danger? Can you guarantee it? " Kai clenches his jaw right as the words leave his lips.

"I can." Dahlia nods.

After a moment, Kai releases a long breath then nods his head too. * Very well sister, but if your beloved messes up, that dragon will burn us all alive. *

Dahlia grins, obviously completely disregarding everything after her brother's compromise. " Thank you my dearest brother! *

"I'm a little bit offended by that. " Phoenix pouts from the other side of the pool table.

" Just take your shot. " She rolls her eyes, gesturing to the game they were playing before Kai and I interrupted them.

We stayed until the game finished, deciding we would rather skip listening to Dahlia boasting about her win. Instead, I made my way up to Kai's office to finish the last lot of protection talismans I'd been working on for the members of the clan, while he retired to his bedroom to read.

A deep sigh passes my lips, as I toss the last piece of jewellery into the plastic tub. I take a couple of seconds to stare at the small mess in front of me, trying to find the motivation to clean it now, but instead I find myself waddling away from it, mumbling to myself about sorting it in later.

My waddling continues until I'm in front of Kai's bedroom door, pushing it open. " Hey, so I finished the last of the- " I begin to say, only to cut myself off when I find the room empty.

My eyebrows furrow and my lips automatically form a slight pout as I realise the bathroom door is wide open and the light is off, indicating that the room is empty. Just as I start to contemplate going downstairs in search of my mate, a throat clears from behind me and when I turn, I see him leaning against my bedroom door.

"1 thought you were reading? " I ask, tilting my head ever so slightly. "1 was. " He shrugs.

"In my room? " I raise my eyebrow.

" Not exactly, come have a look. " He smiles, pushing himself off the door to swing it open.

Wandering over to him, my heart warms as I look past the threshold and into the room that is now painted a pastel orange, the curtains are white with little yellow baby giraffes on them, the white shelves now have endless amounts of baby books, toys and essential items such as diapers, wipes, creams, powders and more placed on top of them, the tv has been removed from the gap in the shelves, replacing the huge screen is a painting of a blonde wolf, sitting by a lake surrounded by grass and wildflowers, howling at the moon, where the large bed once stood is a polished white crib, above it a mobile with different colour baby wolf plushies hangs, a changing table is sitting against the wall to the right of the crib.

"1. When did this happen? " I breathe, taking in the beautiful nursery before me.

" While we were away I asked Phoenix, Dahlia and a couple of others to move your things into our room, paint the walls, change the curtains, things like that. But I finished moving everything in while you were in the office. " He explains. * Do you like it? *

" Oh I love it, who did the painting of the wolf? " I ask, moving through the room to take a better look at it.

" Sabine did, she's very talented, believe it or not. * He says, watching me eye the painting carefully, taking in every detail.

"I believe you. " I whisper, running my fingers along the dry paint. Eventually I manage to drag my eyes away from the art and to my mate, who stands beside me with a small smile. " Thank you for organising this, it's perfect.

" You're more than welcome. " He leans forward wrapping his arms around me, setting his hands on my lower back.

" We'll have to find a way to thank everyone else. " I mumble, closing my eyes as he presses small kisses to the side of my neck.

He only hums in response to my words, continuing to shower me in affection, he moves up my neck and jaw until he finally places his lips on mine. Our lips move together gently, as I run my hands up his arms, looping them around the back of his neck.

" Let's go to bed. " He whispers, his lips brushing against mine as he does.